Polio Eradication: A Historic Opportunity for Global Health
- Polio Eradication: A Historic Opportunity for Global Health Devin Thorpe 25:40
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Devin: Carol, what is your superpower?
Carol: I think my superpower is I believe in hard work and persistence, and that’s what helps drive forward the progress in polio eradication.
Polio eradication is one of the most remarkable global health initiatives of our time. Today is World Polio Day, a day to focus our attention on history being made.
As I discussed with Carol Pandak, Director of PolioPlus at Rotary International, in today’s episode, the end of polio is not just a dream—it’s a real possibility. Carol highlighted that Rotary’s commitment to this effort dates back to 1979 when the organization first launched a campaign in the Philippines, making a promise to the children of the world.
Rotary leads the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a collaboration that includes UNICEF, the US CDC, the World Health Organization, the Gates Foundation and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
This isn’t just about numbers. As Carol emphasized, “We made a promise to the children of the world, and as Rotary members and a community, we live up to those commitments. We are in it until every child is protected from polio.” Later, she added, “Making history is hard!”
The progress is staggering. In 1988, when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative began, there were 350,000 polio cases annually, paralyzing children worldwide. Today, that number has dropped to just 36 cases, restricted to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Carol noted, “The fact that India achieved the goal is a proof point that we can indeed eradicate polio in some of the most difficult places.”
What makes polio different from other diseases is its eradication potential. “It is possible to stop the transmission of polio through vaccination,” Carol explained. The novel oral polio vaccine (NOPV2) has already made a significant impact, reducing vaccine-derived polio cases worldwide.
The possibility of eradicating polio and protecting future generations from paralysis is within reach. This effort represents a historic opportunity, and Rotary’s leadership in the fight against polio is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through global collaboration. To learn more or support the effort, visit endpolio.org.
tl;dr:
* In today’s episode, Carol Pandak emphasized the critical role of persistence and hard work in driving the progress of polio eradication, which Rotary International has been committed to since 1979.
* Carol shared that the eradication of polio is achievable, much like smallpox, through vaccination efforts that stop the transmission of the virus among children, particularly under the age of five.
* Despite significant progress, with only 36 cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2024, Carol stressed that continued effort is necessary to eliminate the wild poliovirus.
* A new oral polio vaccine introduced in 2021 has significantly reduced vaccine-derived polio cases, demonstrating the power of Innovation and global partnerships, including the Gates Foundation’s contributions.
* Carol highlighted a remarkable success in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza to immunize 560,000 children, showcasing the extraordinary global collaboration required to continue these efforts, even in conflict zones.
How to Develop Persistence and Hard Work As a Superpower
Carol defines her superpower as a belief in hard work and persistence. In her role leading Rotary’s participation in the global effort to eradicate polio, Carol emphasizes that such long-term, ambitious goals can only be achieved by staying committed, even when the path becomes difficult. This perseverance has been critical in pushing forward the progress toward a polio-free world, showing that unwavering dedication can lead to historic results.
An anecdote that exemplifies Carol’s superpower involves her decision to shift focus mid-way through her doctoral dissertation, a daunting challenge given the established path she had already committed to. Carol pivoted from her original topic to study civil society in post-communist Hungary, requiring her to secure a grant, live in Hungary, and adapt to local conditions for her research. Her hard work and persistence paid off, resulting in her dissertation being published as a book, a proud accomplishment that highlights her ability to overcome obstacles through sustained effort.
Tips for Developing Persistence:
* Focus on the End Goal: Stay motivated by keeping the ultimate objective in mind, even when immediate progress is slow.
* Learn from Setbacks: Use challenges as learning opportunities to adjust strategies and continue moving forward.
* Have Hard Conversations: Engage with others, listen, and problem-solve together, particularly when faced with difficult situations.
* Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge incremental successes to build confidence and fuel further persistence.
By following Carol Pandak’s example and advice, you can make persistence a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Carol Pandak (she/her):
Director of PolioPlus, Rotary International
About Rotary International: Rotary unites a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.Â
Website: rotary.org
X/Twitter Handle: @EndPolioNow @Rotary
Company Facebook Pages: fb.com/EndPolioNow/ fb.com/rotary/
Instagram Handle: @rotaryinternational
Other URL: endpolio.org
Biographical Information: Carol Pandak is the director of PolioPlus, Rotary’s global effort to eradicate polio, working in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has held this position since 2000.
X/Twitter Handle: @carolpandak
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/carol-pandak-31180211/
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